The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night reviewed the performance of Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett over the past six months, commending him on hiring new officers to fully staff the department and increasing community outreach.

Select Board chair Brian Herr noted at the start of the review that this was termed an annual review in the agenda, but that the previous board failed to complete the previous fiscal year’s six-month review. Bennett noted that this is the third time he has appeared before the Select Board this year to finish this process.

Bennett explained to the board that he has made significant progress on his three goals of community engagement, recruitment and professional development. He noted that it is important for the community to get to know the officers and establish trust with the department. A “common theme” shown in all three goals was how officers have “stepped up” to take on new responsibilities and support recent hires.

Social media used as tool for public awareness, recruitment

One way Bennett said he has increased public knowledge of the department’s activities was by creating a greater social media presence. The department’s social media team has grown into a “self-running organization.” With a couple of posts each week, the HPD has been able to maintain 7,500 followers. One post, he noted, received about 130,000 views.

Detective Sgt. Gregg DeBoer has used the department’s drone to create a “Where in Hopkinton” series of posts on the HPD Facebook page, which has increased community engagement.

The social media team also guided the direction on posts geared toward recruitment, he added. Bennett said he previously “shied away from” posts of tactical trainings until the team convinced him that they would help attract new officers to the HPD. The strategy was confirmed as a success by candidates interviewing for officer roles.

“We needed to show that we do it all,” he explained. “That we actively train, that we develop our officers tactically as well as engage with the community. And it worked.”

A video series that originally was focused on recruitment will be repurposed as “an expression of our culture and our values,” Bennett said, noting that there currently are no HPD openings.

At the end of his remarks, Bennett said a key lesson he learned over the past two years was the importance of communication with the public and sharing what information he can make public as soon as possible after a situation arises.

Second school resource officer position created; officers participate in community activities

Bennett announced that Augusto Diaz will become the HPD’s second school resource officer, joining SRO Sgt. Matt Santoro.  Diaz spearheaded the “Operation Sweet Rewards” initiative, where officers distributed free ice cream vouchers to kids observed preforming acts of kindness. Diaz will assume this position as soon as an incoming officer can take over his current position.

Sgt. Shannon Beloin already is SRO certified, Bennett noted, and she may be placed in that role as more recruits enter the department.

The chief added that officers are seeking opportunities for community engagement rather than being “voluntold” to do it. This has been shown by events such as a fishing derby, a first responder coffee hour and the Special Olympics basketball game.

“I think it’s been very evident, seeing all the work they’re doing in the community,” said Select Board member Amy Ritterbusch. She mentioned the impact of the half-day pizza party as one example. Vice chair Mary Jo LaFreniere agreed, saying that “it was an amazing feat” to watch how students connected with officers.

Member Joe Clark added that he has personally witnessed officers’ engagement with residents at several community events, calling it “a great sign of where the department’s going.”

“Appreciation is what keeps them going,” Bennett said of the officers.

Recruitment process brings HPD up to nearly full complement of officers

Bennett noted that recruitment efforts this year have led to seven hires. Three offers were made to candidates a couple of weeks ago, two of whom will attend the police academy. One officer is a lateral transfer.

He added that three officers are graduating from the academy within the next few weeks.  If the new hires complete the academy training and have successful background checks, the HPD will be fully staffed at 29 officers.

Said Herr: “I do think we’ve made some great  progress on this particular front.”

Cross-training has been implemented so that officers will be able to work in a variety of roles, something that Bennett said new recruits found attractive. Training also allows for officer advancement to command staff roles.

Said Bennett: “This is the time to invest in the people. I can’t stress that enough.”

While the deputy chief position remains vacant, Bennett said four candidates have gone through an assessment center review. Herr said filling this role should be a priority, and Bennett agreed.

Bennett said his goals for fiscal year 2025 include continuing to focus on community engagement, investment in new employees and professional development and training opportunities. He will refine these goals and present them at a December Select Board meeting.

Clark noted that a discussion on the response to potential active shooter situations in the schools will be on the Nov. 19 Select Board agenda. A swatting incident occurred at the high school on Oct. 1.

Said Clark: “When it comes to our children’s safety, we can’t do enough.”